Beags - still get tea in many Army messes. Bet you wished you'd joined now!

The Officers' Messes at RNZAF Bases Whenuapai [Auckland], Ohakea, and Wigram are all identical to the RAF basic design to which they were built, and yes, we did have batting services, though not for a number of years now. These included having your shoes cleaned if you left them outside your door at night, and of course the cup of tea in the morning though I recall one overnight stay when I was asked, "Sugar Sir?", to which I replied "No"; "In which case don't stir it Sir".:rolleyes:

The kiwis had Tea/Coffee, OJ, Newspaper and Shoe-shine......and just like the RAF "extras" were available in A Wing, No.1 Mess at RNZAF Base Wigram! (circa 1990) ;)

I recall a young lady at Culdrose in the mid 90's who supplied more than a cuppa. Popular lady as well. Wonder where she is now?

the problem I always found was the further away from the kitchen you were, the colder and more stewed the reultant beverage was. If you were near the top of the building at West Drayton the results would allow a spoon to stand up in it.

Still, a fine tradition and was all part of what it was all about:{

Remember a chum of mine (no honestly - not me) in the East Wing lower at ODIZ in the mid 70s when we were looked after by the amazing Doris (who I gather is still around, although now retired). Said chum had been entertaining a lady, and as sleep had overtaken them, said young lady was still there when Doris called at 0700-ish.

Doris: (unflappable) Mornin' Sir, here's yer tea.

Teeter's Mate: (equally unflappable) Mornin' Doris ..... better make that two cups then!

Which Doris duly produced...

Slightly off topic but a true story - friend of mine did a tour in Gan and on his last day was in his room packing whilst his batty got on with the cleaning. Batty is wailing a bit about how much he'll miss Sir, when Sir (John) notices that batty is cleaning the toilet pan with his facecloth. Yes, he had done it every day for the whole time John had been there.

:yuk: :p :yuk: :p

From what I remember of West Drayton ... you were lucky to get tea! In my days there (thankfully few) spoons were in short supply as were most pieces of cutlery. I have known the staff drop stuff off plates and simply pick up and put back; I guess it's not unusual in the kitchen, but when it happens in the Dining Room ...

I think the last time I got tea in a mess was 1990 in Leuchars and Boulmer.

STH

teeteringhead: A friend woke, bleary eyed, in a mess room after a good party and was surprised to see two cups of tea on the bedside cabinet.

The batman had been a naval rating in earlier life and knew what to do without being prompted. :)

petitfromage; 'A' wing was for permanent residents as I recall; those more set in their ways so to speak!. There were no such luxuries if you were in transit, I can assure you!

I should also point out that, as an airman at Eastleigh whilst in the RAF, we had our own collective batting service, for which we all chipped in, and had morning tea, a laundry service, and beds made, all for a few shillings each!

Was he in the bed with your friend?

PA

There was the story about a female Sqn Ldr who visited the Mess at RAF Buchan in the 80s. Fortunate to be allocated a room with servicable heating she was able to sleep 'au naturelle'. At 0730 there was a knock on the door from the 'batty'. Realising she had kicked off all the bedding she quickly grabbed the sheets and covered herself.
A call from the other side of the door said "Your coffee's by the bed Ma'am"!!

On a similar line to the Bruggen story...
Some of the UWAS chaps will remember feeling very pleased with themselves after being visited by an accommodating young(ish) Mess stewardess after a dining in night in the 80s. Only to not feel quite so pleased with themselves at Breakfast when confronted by several mates with a similar tale to tell regarding the same 'lady' from the night before.
The UWAS Adj never did get the full story either!

Holding at Boscombe Down mid 90's I had a Batty that would find me wherever I had fallen asleep (Boggs, various coridoors, my cupboard etc.) and bring me my coffee, much like the butler at the start of Tombraider. It was superb when you had that holding officer hangover!:ugh:

Damn,

I knew I should have joined the RAF:)

Steve

Boscombe Mess still has a batty who washes clothes and irons shirts for nothing more than a Christmas Box each year, great service but no tea in the morning.

PA

Just the one??

Leeming, July 1979, and the RN pilot pukes of 87 course are having a leaving party in the OM. Two WRAF stewards serving behind bar. Last man standing ( a member of 88 course) at about 0400 is taken back to his cabin in the SEECO huts behind the OM by the two lasses and given a good seeing to.